Rail-joint.



A. T. PALMER RAILJOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-18, 1915.

1,150,618. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

ALPHONSO T. PALMER, F CICERO, ILLINOIS.

RAIL-J GIN T.

wa ers.

Specification 0f Letters Patent.

PatentedAug. 17, 1915.

Application filed January 18, 1915. Serial No. 2,871.

' has for its object the provision of a simple and efiicient joint of the character mentioned, which very rigid, and one which may be easily and quickly adjusted to take up wear.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in substantially the combinations and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, shown in {the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and more particularly specified in the subjolned claims. v,

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a cross section of a rail joint embodyingmy invention. Fig. 2 isa perspective view of a wedge memher-used in the construction and shown on a smaller scale than Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the wedge member shown in Fig; Qbut ona smaller scale. Figs. a and 5 are plan views ofmodified formsof wedges adapted for use in my rail joint.

My inventionis adapted to be embodied in rail joints for joining rails of conventional patterns having the usual round holes at their ends. The rail ends are fitted in abutting relation.

My invention consists in the novel formof fish plates and tightening means employed in the joint. I 7

In Fig. 1 I have shown a cross-sectionof a joint embodying my invention,'one of the rail ends not being shown since-itis dire'ctly behind the rail end which is shown i11 section. Likewisaonly one rivet 6 is'shown, since the other rivets lie in a plane back of this rivet. It is understood that as many rivets 6 maybe usedin forming the joint as is desired. The two fish plates 7 and their means for keeping them tight are 'the same, so that the description of one will suffice for both. The fish' plate'? has its up per edge formed angular, and is fitted against the lower surface '9 of the 'rail'end 'heads 10 and extends downwardly a short distance on the webll of the rail ends.

- The lower portion of the fish platev has an inwardly extending portion 152 which rests against the point-where the web 11 and of the heads of the rail ends.

of flanges 13. "wedge is adapted to substantially fit the reflange 13 of the rail ends meet. With this construction then it will be seen that the central portion of the fish plate 7 is spaced from the web of the rail ends and engages the rail ends at the upper and lower edges of the webs thereof, also at the under sides Rivets 6 pass through the central portion of the fish plates 7 and web 11 of the rail ends binding them together. I preferably use rivets 6 instead of bolts, as is the usual custom, and rivet the fish plates tightly against the rail ends, in order to insure the upper edges and the lower portions 1 2 of the fish plate always remaining firmly against the rail ends.

Along the lower edge of each fish plate 7 I provide a flange lt, which extends over the flanges 13 ofthe rail ends, and has its lower edge disposed substantially in a plane witl1,.the lower side of the rail ends. 1 pro- "provide a wedge formed of two parts 15 and 16. The part 15 has one of its longitudinal edges brought to a sharp edge and fitting the :angular space between the lower edge ofthe fish plate 7 and The other part 16 of the maining space of the wedge housing. The parts '15 and 16 have their adjacent edges disposed in substantially vertical planes and each formed substantially tapering longitudinally, in order to produce a lateral wedging action of the rail in the wedge housing. It will be seen from this construction, that upon moving the wedge part 16 relatively to the wedge part 15, the wedge part 1 5 will be forcedinwardly toward the webs of the rail ends, and owing to the angular cross-section of part 15, the latter will produce vertical wedging action between the lower edge of fish plate 7 and the upper surf-aces of flanges 13. The part 16 is preferably cut away at 17 and 18 to prevent the wvedge part 16 contacting with the outer edges of the flanges 13 and portions adjacent said edges, 'so that when weight is applied to the rail ends, such as by a train passing-over the rail endspsuch weightwill not betransmitted to the outer edge portions of the flanges 13, thereby relieving sush -outer edges of unnecessary strains.

the upper surfaces I have shown several forms of wedge members which are equally adaptable to my rail joint. The form shown in Figs. 2 and 3 comprises two elongated parts 15 and 16, having their dividing surfaces 19 in sub stantially the same vertical plane with the exception of a short portion 20 at oneend of the parts. This straight portion is preferably formed to prevent cutting through the thick edge 21 or part 16. In Fig. t I have shown a slight modification in which the part has two inclined or wedging sur faces 23, one at each end. Adapted tocooperate with the wedging surfaces 23 are wedges 2a. It will be seen with this form of wedge that each end may be adjusted separately, and atv different tensions, if desired.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, the wedge is made up of portions 25 and Zflhaving an irregular or zigzag wedging surface 27 between them.

On the outer edges of flanges 1 L; are formed extensions 28 adapted to receive the spikes 29, in order to hold the joint in position on the railway tie 30, Under the joint may be provided a chair 31 of any ordinary 'orpreierred constructions The form of chair shown is provided with upstanding ears 32 along its longitudinal edges, but' these'ears may be disposed of when so desired, since the wedge housings formed by flanges la and flanges 13 provide the complete mounting for the wedge members.

"With'this construction, it will be seenthat' in case the flanges lt were damaged'and frendered inoperativefrom any means, the

fish plates 7 would still be in such positions 1. as to 'holdthe rail ends in operative condi- .tion. In caseof weal- 0f the jointin use, it

is only necessary to adjust the wedge parts 16 relative'to the wedge parts 15, inorder .to re-adjust the joint to rigid condition.

vWhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction, I do not desire to be limited to the precise details set I forth, but desire'to avail myself of such variations and changes as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim: 1. A rail joint comprising a pair of rail ends having the usual heads, [webs and flanges;- fish plates engaging both of the rail ends at'the junctures of theheads and webs v mof the railends, and at the jun'cturesofthe 'passing through said fish =platesand rail ends; and wedges between lower portions .of the fish plates'and flanges of the rail'endsv providing wedging actions-in both. lateral webs-andfl'anges of. the rail ends; rivets and vertical directions between the fish l plates and rail ends.

2. A rail oint comprising a pair of rail ends having the usual heads, webs and flanges; fish plates engaging both of the rail ends-at'the junctures of theheads and'webs of. the rail ends, and at the juncturesof the V webs and flanges of the rail ends; rivets passing through said fish plates and rail ends; flanges on the'lower edges of the fish plates extending over the flanges of the rail ends; and wedges between the flanges on the fish plates and the flanges on the rail wedging actions between the fish plates and rail ends. a I j 3. A rail joint comprising a. pair of rail ends producing both lateral and vertical ends having the usual heads, webs and "flanges, fish plates engaging both of the rail ends at the junctures of the heads and webs of the rail ends, and at the junetures of the webs and flanges of the rail ends; rivets passing through said fish plates and rail ends; flanges on the lower-edges of the fish I ends, each of said wedges being madeflup of;

two parts disposed Withtheir adjacent edges in vertical planes. f

4. A rail 'OlIlll comprising a pair of rail ends having the usual "heads, 'web and flanges;fish plates-engaging the rail ends at the undersides of the heads ofthe rail ends and at the meeting points of theflanges and webs of the rails; rivets passing through the fish-plates and rail ends "securing them together; flanges .on the lower edges-of the V I fish plates and extending over the flanges of the rail ends forming wedge; housings;

and wedges. each made up of two parts and disposed in one of the wedgejhousings, the parts of each of the wedgeshavingsubstantially vertical abutting surfaces arranged. for cooperative wedging action laterally be tween saidparts. 7

1 5. A rail joint comprising apair otrail ends having the usual heads, wvebs and flanges; fish plates engaging the rail ends at the under sides of the heads of the rail ends and at themeeting points ofjthe flanges a and webs ofitherail ends rivets passing through the; fishplates and rail ends securf ing them together; flanges on the'lower the flanges of the-rail ends, the lowersurfaces of the fish plates and flangesonjthe latterfmeeting the upper surfaces of the flanges oftherail ends at acuteangles i'orming wedge housings;and wedges. in said 7 edgesof the fishplates and extending over wedge housings, each of said wedges being 7 made up ofjparts' divided by substantially vertically disposed edges and adapted for relative longitudinal movement for producingvertical and lateral actionsbetween the fish plates and rail ends.

6. rail joint comprising a pair of rail ends having the usual heads, webs and flanges; fish plates having their upper edges 1 0 seated against the lower sides of the heads and extending downwardly a short distance on the webs of the rail ends and their lower portions engaging points of the rail ends at the junctures of the webs and flanges thereof; rivets passing through the fish plates and webs of the rail ends; flanges on the lower edges of the fish plates and extending over the flanges of the rail ends, the lower surfaces of the fish plates and flanges thereon meeting the upper surfaces of the flanges of the rail ends at acute angles forming wedge housings; and wedges in said wedge housings, said wedges being made up of two parts, with one part having a substantially sharp longitudinal edge and fitted in the angular space between the lower edge of one of the fish plates and the upper surface of the flangesrat one side of the rail ends, and the other part of said wedge being adjustably fitted between the outer edge of said first mentioned part and the inner surface of the outer edge portion of the last mentioned fish plate. 7

7. A rail joint comprising a pair of rail ends having the usual heads, webs and flanges; fish plates having their upper edges seated against the lower sides of the heads and extending downwardly a short distance on the webs of the rail ends and their lower edges engaging points of the rail ends at the juncture of the webs and flanges thereof; rivets passing through the fish plates and webs of the rail ends; flanges on the lower edges of the fish plates and extending over the flanges of the rail ends forming wedge housings; and wedges in said housings engaging the lower surfaces of the fish plates and flanges thereon and the upper Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

